Material handling apparatus



March 6, 1945. J. s. WEAVER MACHINE GUN MOUNT 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 2, 194

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March 6, 1945. WEAVER 2,370,896

MACHINE GUN vMOUNT Filed Oct. 2, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 5106/275 @7272? naae/ Mamh 1945- .1. s. WEAVER 2,370,896

MACHINE GUN MOUNT Filed Oct. 2, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Mar. 6, 1945 MACHINE GUN MOUNT John S. Weaver, Downey, Calif., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application October 2, 1940, Serial No. 359,312

14 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to mounts for machine guns; More particularly the invention relates to that type of machine gun mount which is associated with, and forms a part of, the gunners cockpit of'a military or naval airplane and comprises a curved or arcuate track for supporting the machine gun so that it is bodily movable into different angular positions for firing purposes.

It has heretofore been common practice in' connection with a mount of this type to support the arcuate track by way of a plurality of laterally spaced upstanding tube type brackets. When such brackets are employed as the track supporting media it is essential or necessary to use an extremely heavy track if accurate firing of the machine gun is to be obtained. It is impossible or impractical to employ a track of light weight because the weight and vibration of the gun, especially when the gun is fired while in a position between the brackets, tend so to distort or defiect the track that the gunner cannot fire accurately. A heavy track is manifestly objectionable because it affects the speed and maneuverability of the airplane.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a machine gun mount in which the support for the arcuate track supports and engages the track throughout substantially its entire periphery and makes it possible to employ a track of light weight while at the same time maintaining accuracy of machine gun fire.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine gun mount of the type under consideration which is generally of new and improved construction and not only has certain inherent advantages over previously designed mounts of the same general character but also is durable and effectively and efficiently fulfills its intended purpose.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present machine gun mount will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like letters and numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal 4 sectional view of an airplane having applied to 55 the gunners cockpit thereof a, machine gun mount embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view illustrating in detail the arrangement and design of the main supporting plate and the auxiliary parts for supporting the arcuate track of the mount throughout substantially the entire periphery thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section of the improved mount Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical transverse section taken on the line 44 of Figure 2 and illustrating the manner in which the ends of the track are secured to the longerons at the sides of the gunners cockpit;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective of the mount; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical transverse section on the line 6-6 of Figure 3.

The mount which is shown in the drawings constitutes the preferred form or-embodiment of the invention. It is illustrated in connection with an airplane A and serves as the medium for supporting a machine gun G so that it may be swung from side to side by the gunner in connection with firing thereof. The airplane A is of standard or conventional design and comprises a fuselage a having in the aft portion thereof a gunners cockpit a As shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings the cockpit a is provided with a seat a for the gunner. This seat is suitably supported so that the gunner may rotate or turn it into different positions in connection with firing of the gun G. The fuselage a of the airplane A embodies a pair of laterally spaced longerons a and these extend across-the side portions of the gunners cockpit a and are cross connected at their rear ends by a tubular cross member a. The machine gun G is adapted to be aimed and fired by the gunner while the latter is on the seat a in the gunners cockpit and is pivotally connected at the bottom thereof to a C-shaped bracket y so that it may be tilted up and down. The bracket g is carried by the improved mount as hereinafter described and embodies a plurality of upper and lower front wheels and a plurality of upper and lower rear wheels 9 These wheels are substantially horizontally positioned i and are carried by the bracket 9 so that they are free to rotate. The longerons a and the cross member a constitute a frame structure which forms a part of the mount and serves as a supporting medium for the latter.

The mount for the machine gun G comprises a semicircular track I and a plate 8 for supporting the track. The track I is located in the upper frontfaces of the upper and lower heads II] and I I of the track and the rear wheels gr fit against and ride on the rear faces of the twoheads. The wheels so connect the bracket to the track that the bracket together with the machine gun. G is free to swing around the'track throughout.

substantially the entire length of the track. The

bracket embodies a handle controlled locking device g whereby it may be locked at any point or position on the track I. erably forwardlyanddownwardly inclined at a small acute angle with respect to the horizontal. The bracket g and the track I so support the machine gun that the latter may be swung bodily to either side of the gunners cockpit for firing I purposes. and the pivot between the machine gun and the bracket 9 permits the .gun to be tilted vertically ashereinbeforexpointed out.

The plate 8 together with an arcuate channel member 12 servesxto holdthe track -I in fixed relation with the fuselage a of the airplane. =It

is in the form of acne piece metal stamping and consistsof a pair of side .piec'es -I-3 and. a back piece I I. The bottom marginal portions of-the side pieces are straight and .rest \upon the longerons a of the fuselage, as shownin-Figure 5. They are U-shaped in horizontal section and are releasably secured in fixed-relation with the longerons-byvway of c-shapedclamps I5 which i'extendaround the longerons and are anchored to theside pieces by bolts I6. I The lower marginal portion of the back piece of the-plate 8 is also straight and -it rests-uponthe cross member a ot the fuselage'and-is releasably secured to such member by means of O-shapedclamps H. The

latter extend around the cross 'member a and are connected tothe back piece I 4 'bywayof bolts I8. The-front ends of the-sidepieces I3 of the-plate S terminate rearwards of theends of the track -1. 'The-upper portion of the plate 8 is shaped to form an-arcuate band-like'piece I9 and this is disposed rearwards of the track 'l'. The plate 8 is reinforced against bending or fiexure byway of upwardlyextending outstruck ribs 20.

The latter are spaced equidistantly apart and extend from the band-like piece I9 to the 'bottom edge of the plate 8.

The arcuate channel member I2 extends between and serves to connect together the bandlike piece IQ of theplat'e 8 and the web '9 of' the track I. It is formed of suitable metal-stock and consists of an upstanding intermediate web 2I and vertically spaced substantially horizontally extending side legs 22. The intermediate web 2| of the member I2 fits against the rear face of the web 9 of the track land is rigidly connected to the track by wayof bolts 23; The latter extend through alignedholesin the webs 9 and 2I. The side legs 22 of the member I2 extend rearwards and-are provided with out-turned flanges 24. The latter, as shown in Figure 5, fit against the band-like piece 19 of the plate 8 and are-secured to said plate by way of rivets 25. "The bolts 23 are spaced closely together and exten'd throughout the entire length of the intermediate web 2I.

The track is pref- The upper and lower marginal portions of the web 2| engage the heads l0 and II of the track with the result that the track is so interlocked with the member I2 that it is supported throughout substantially the entire outer periphery thereof. The ends of the member I2 project beyond the ends of the band-like piece I9 of the plate 8 but terminate however slightly rearwards of the end extremities of theztrack I. The end portions of'theside legs-22 of the channel member I2 are reinforced by short channel pieces 26.

The latter fit between the end portions of the "side'legs 22 of the member I2 and embody inwardly extending side legs 21 which fit within andjare iriveted'tothe ends of the side legs 22.

Thevfia'nges 24iof the member l2 terminate at the ends of 'theband-llke piece I9 of the plate '8 withthe result that the ends of the side legs 22 are fiangeless. Such ends are cut so that the outer edges thereof are straight and extend paralleluto the-longeronsra. The ends of the track! are{fixedlyjorgrigidlyponnected to said longerons-aby ;a pair, of upstanding brackets" 28.

These,,'brackets,are bolted-tothe longerons a and are -also :boltedto :the web' 9 of the' track.: The upper ends. of thexbracketsrprojectcabove the serve as :stops .ifor limiting;.travel .of the. gun

bracket g around the track. Thezlbrackets :28,

"the-channel. member .12 and theplate 8 serve to support .the' track throughout thetentire length thereofp-gBy reason: of the 'fac'tLthat the track is supported-throughout.iits :entire lengthit is possible to :make :the. trackaexceptionally light and ::there is no likelihoodi'of the tracki'bending or distorting under the weight andvibrationzof thegun G and interfering :with accurate marksmanship on the part of the gunner.

Thelherein: described machine gun mount may bemanufactured at-a low-and reasonable-cost and is exceptionally light while at the 'same time it is rigid and-durable. -Due to the -shape and design of the plate 8 it serves as-a protective shield and attends the gunner a certain amount of protection against projectiles: I The -mount may be quickly and-readily ins'talled and may be removed-for re'placement or repairsimply by removing the brackets "45,41 and 28. Because of thedesign-of the track-and-the manner in --Whic'h the track is supported the gun G isrigidly held-in place when-it is locked in place 'at'any predetermined point on the track.

The-invention is not 'to be understood "as restricted to "the details -'set-forth' *since t-hesemay -be modified 'within the s'cope'of the appended claims without departing-fromthespirit and scope 10f the invention.

Having --thusdescribed the invention what I claimas new and desire-to secure by-Letters'Patent is:

1. A machinegun-mou-nt compris'ingaframe structure,- a track'of 'I-beam cross section 'for supporting thegun'forfmovement' therealong disposed above "the frame structure and consisting of upper and --lowerheads and a'web between the heads, and'an upstanding substantially rigid plate between the frame structure and the track, arranged and designed to form a protective shield fortheuser of the gumhavin' the lower portion thereof attached to said. 'framestru'cture, and provided at its upper portion'with fixedmeans engagingand-secured to the "web" of the track and interlocked with the track heads throughout substantially the entire length of the track.

2. A machine'gun'mountcomprising a frame structure, an arcuate track of I-beam cross section and comparatively light metallic stock, adapted to support the gun for movement therearound disposed above the frame structure and consisting of upper and lower heads and a web between the heads, and an upstanding substantially rigid plate between the frame structure and the track, designed and arranged to form a protective shield for the user of the gun, having the lower portion thereof attached to said frame structure and provided at its upper portion with a fixed part curved conformably to the track engaging and secured to the outer periphery of the web of the track and interlocked with the track heads throughout substantially the entire length of the track, and servin to reenforce and impart rigidity to said track.

3. A machine gun mount comprising a frame structure, an arcuate track disposed above the frame structure and adapted tosupport the gun for movement therearound, a substantially rigid plate attached to and extending upwardly from the frame structure and having an arcuate upper portion, and an arcuate channel member fixed to said arcuate upper portion of the plate and engaging and secured to the track throughout substantially the entire length thereof.

4. A machine gun mount comprising a frame structure, an arcuate track disposed above the frame structure and adapted to support the gun for movement therearound, a substantially rigid plate attached to and extending upwardly from the frame structure and having an arcuate upper portion, and an arcuate channel member fixed Y to aid arcuate upper portion of the plate and having the web thereof engaging and secured to the track throughout substantially the entire length thereof.

5. A machine gun mount comprising a frame structure, an arcuate track of I-beam cross section disposed above the frame structure and adapted to support the gun for movement therearound, a substantially rigid plate attached to, and extending upwardly from, the frame structure and having an arcuate upper portion extending around, and spaced outwardly from, the track, and an arcuate channel member fixed to said arcuate upper portion of the plate and having the web thereof engaging and secured to the web of the track.

6. A machine gun mount comprising a frame structure, an arcuate track disposed above the frame structure and adapted to support the gun for movement therearound, a substantially rigid plate attached to, and extending upwardly from, the frame structure and having an arcuate upper portion of less length than the track extending around, and spaced outwardly from, the central portion of said track, an arcuate channel member fixed to said arcuate upper portion of the plate and having the web thereof engaging and secured to the track throughout substantially the entire length thereof, and its ends projecting beyond said arcuate upper portion, and reinforcing elements disposed in, and secured to, said ends of the arcuate channel member.

7. A machine gun mount comprising a frame structure, an arcuate track disposed above the frame structure and adapted to support the gun for movement therearound, a substantially rigid plate attached to, and extending upwardly from, the frame structure and having an arcuate upper portion of less strength than the track extending around, and spaced upwardly from, the central portion of said track, an arcuate channel member fixed to said arcuate upper portion of the-plate and having the web thereof engaging and secured to the track throughout substantially the entire length thereof, and its ends projecting beyond said arcuate upper portion, and short channel shaped elements fitting Within and secured to'said ends of the channel member.

8. A machine gun mount comprising a frame structure, an arcuate track disposed above the frame structure and adapted to support the gun for movement therearound, a substantially rigid plate attached to, and extending upwardly from, the frame structure and having an arcuate upper portion extending around that portion of the track which is between the latters ends, an arcuate channel member fixed to said arcuate upper portion of the plate, and having the web thereof engaging and secured to the track and its ends terminating short of the ends of. the track, and brackets extending between, and secured to, the frame structure and the ends of the track.

9. A machine gun mount comprising a fram structure, a substantially semi-circular track of I-beam cross section for supporting the gun for movement therearound disposed above the frame structure and consisting of upper and lower heads and a web between the heads, a substantially rigid plate attached to, and extending upwardly from, the frame structure and having an arcuate upper portion extending around that portion of the track which is between the latters ends, an arcuate channel member fixed to said arcuate upper portion of the plate and having the web thereof engaging and secured to the web of the track and interlocked with the track heads throughout substantially the entire length of the track and its ends terminating short of the track ends, and brackets connected to, and extending between, the frame structure and said track ends.

10. In combination with an airplane having a gunners cockpit together with longerons at the sides of the cockpit and a cross member between the longerons, a machine gun mount comprising an arcuate track at the top of the cockpit, and an upstanding substantially rigid plate arranged and designed to form a protective shield for the gunner, having the lower margin thereof U-shaped in horizontal section and attached to the longerons and cross member, and provided at its upper portion with an arcuate part curved conformably to the track and engaging and secured to the latter throughout substantially the entire length thereof.

11. In combination with an airplane having a gunners cockpit together with longerons at the sides of the cockpit and a cross member between the longerons, a machine gun mount comprising an arcuate track of comparatively light weight at the top of the cockpit, and an upstanding substantially rigid and imperforate plate arranged and designed to form a protective shield for the gunner, having the lower mar gin thereof U-shaped in horizontal section and attached to the longerons and cross member, and provided at its upper portion with a fixed arcuate part curved conformably to the track and engaging and secured to the latter throughout substantially the entire length thereof and serving to strengthen and impart rigidity to said track.

12. In combination with an airplane having a :gunnerfs :cockpit ,togethenmfih longerons-zzat thezsides; of the cockpitgend a \crosstmemberabetweemthe clongerons, a. .ma'chinea guntmount comprising anaarcuatetracktatdthet top ;of'.the1:,cockpit; an -.upstanding=:one;piece. substantially) rigid plate arranged. "enclose v;d.esignev;i "to form a protective shield fonitheegunner .andwthavingtethe lower :marginthereof of .U- sha-pedc0ntour.. in

connected.:to,..the track :and said ,a'rcuate. upper portion-of the plate.

' 13.. In combination with an airplaneuhaving -a. gunnerts v cockpit ztogether with elongerons rat .the sides of .the cockpit :and ;a crosszmemben-between the zlongerons machinegun mount comprising an..-arcuate; trackA'a-t .the top: of the :cockpit, a substantiallyrigid .plate attachedto,:and extending upwardlyifrom, the. longeronshand cross member and having an arcuate upper per "saunas .tinn::extending around :theztracnuand amarcuate channel rmemberflfixed tosaid :arcuate upper portion of the plate; and having the webcthexteot engaging, and; tsecuredtto, :the track -thr.ouzhout "substantially ,the entire .;1en th; there0f.;

14.. In. combination nwithgan. airplane .hayingz a gunneris cockpit ,together with zlongerons at ,-.the sides.- ..of the ,cockpit and a; cross :memben between 'theizlongerons; a machine gun mount comprisingsan :arcuate track nth-the, :topmf -the cockpit,

vanyupstamdingt one-piece substantially rigid rand imperforate plate arrangedaandnesigned to form aprotective .shieldvfor the gunner and having;the

lower tmargin gthereof of .U-shaped ercontour ;in longitudinal section :and; release-Joly attached ".to the Jongerons .andt orossxmember; and provided with an arcuateupper;portion:,extending :around and connected to thatportionof thertrackwhich is between..its1ends,-;and a pairqof brackets "realeasably. connected to, .and extending upwardly 7 from, ,itherlongerons, and, having the upper ends thereoi fixed to :thependstotsaid track. 1

JOHN- S. 'WEAVER." 

